SLOVENIA RESPONSE TO APRIL 25 GAERC DEMARCHE

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000271

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/EEA, EUR/NCE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAL PREL SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA RESPONSE TO APRIL 25 GAERC DEMARCHE

REF: SECSTATE 72185


1. (U) Pol/Econ Chief delivered reftel points to Peter Grk
and Vesna Hojnik, of the MFA's office for EU affairs. On
Iraq, MEPP, and Lebanon, Grk said the Government of Slovenia
(GOS) and EU views tracked closely with the United States.
He expected that a decision on the Iraq conference would be
reached at a PSC meeting in Brussels, April 21. Grk said the
EU and Slovenia were very supportive of the US and French
approach on Lebanon, and he expected the EU to field election
monitors if asked by Lebanon. Slovenia would almost
certainly contribute to that mission.


2. (U) The GOS does not take strong positions within the EU
on Africa issues, and it tends to go with the consensus.
Nevertheless, Slovenia has provided modest donations to
humanitarian efforts in Darfur, and it would like to see the
African Union take more responsibility for finding lasting
solutions in Sudan.


3. (SBU) Saying that the GOS and EU share US concerns and
views on Zimbabwe, Grk thought the upcoming EU review of
sanctions on Zimbabwe would result in a healthy debate and
would reinforce the original decision to apply sanctions.
Considering Slovenia's consistent and principled stand on
human rights and democracy issues, Pol/econ Chief asked Grk
if Slovenia would participate in the debate. He suggested
Slovenia would go with the consensus decision, but he clearly
took the point that Slovenia could develop a position on
general principle.


4. (U) In addition to the topics raised by reftel, Grk said
the upcoming Russia-EU summit, the Western Balkans and the
Tsunami Action Plan were on the GAERC agenda.

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2005LJUBLJ00271 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED



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